Taiwan launches campaign to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees after Russian invasion

The deputy speaker of the legislature Tsai Chi-chang says the war is a disaster for humanity as he launches Taiwan Can Help appeal

Tsai says the appeal is part of a ‘chain of kindness’ to repay the international community for helping the island with Covid-19 vaccines

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A protest against the invasion in Taipei. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:30pm, 28 Feb 2022Updated: 5:31pm, 28 Feb 2022

Taiwan will raise funds to help Ukrainian refugees who have fled to Poland following the Russian invasion.

Calling the war a disaster for humankind, Tsai Chi-chang, deputy speaker of the island’s legislature, said on Monday he would launch a “Taiwan Can Help” appeal to raise as much money as possible to help refugees.

“As a member of international society, Taiwan should offer a helping hand when there is a need in other parts of the world. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has already created bloodshed and destroyed many people’s homes and families, and for this, we must do something,” Tsai said.

Tsai said the campaign was to show concern for Ukrainians suffering from the war. He also described the event as part of a “chain of kindness” through which Taiwan should repay the generosity of international society which had donated vaccines to the self-ruled island when it was in dire need at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The same was the case when Taiwan donated face masks to other countries at the beginning of the outbreak as the world ran out of supplies, Tsai noted.

“We already have more than 10 local businesses promising some NT$10 million (US$356,000) in donation funds for humanitarian purposes, and we hope we can raise more funds soon after we kick off our Taiwan Can Help campaign,” Tsai said, adding he would announce details of the drive on Tuesday.